Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Photos by Brandy Baker / The Detroit News Derrick and Rhonda Walker, left, and Rhonda Walker's father, Ronald Gillum.

Society

TV news' Rhonda Walker helps out teens

By Chuck Bennett / Special to The Detroit News

Elaine Clifford, left, of Southfield, Charlotte Davidson of Detroit and Brittany Merritt of Ann Arbor. Megan Arnold, 13, and her mom, Tracy Arnold, of Rochester Hills. Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

WDIV news personality Rhonda Walker worked the room at Seldom Blues, and 25 inner-city teenage girls wearing pink T-shirts did some impressive networking as well.

The Oct. 2 occasion was the first Moving with Success Empowerment Brunch, Conversations with Powerful Women of Purpose event to benefit the Rhonda Walker Foundation. Among the 250 guests was a group of women being honored for reaching the highest levels in their fields. They included Cathy Hughes from Radio One, Swin Cash from Detroit Shock, Linda Forte of Comerica and Glenda Price from Marygrove College. Former TV anchor Amyre Makeupson emceed the event.

"We have so many powerful women in Detroit," Walker says, "and I'm honored to have the opportunity to showcase them, learn from them and hear their incredible stories."

Guests paid $150 each for the enlightening forum and a delectable brunch that included everything from scrambled eggs and bacon to prime rib and grilled salmon. Mimosas and soft drinks flowed freely as the young girls moved throughout the popular riverfront restaurant, selling raffle tickets and bracelets they had made to help spread their message of motivation.

The Rhonda Walker Foundation is a nonprofit group that supports mentoring, career development and life-skills training for inner-city teen girls. Nearly $50,000 was raised.

What's coming up

Fourth annual Caleidoscope of Culture Awards, sponsored by the Caleidoscope of Culture Foundation, is Thursday at the Fairlane Club in Dearborn. Tickets are $100. Information: (248) 423-9205, ext. 222, or www.ntouchgroup.com.

Circle of Hope Gala, benefiting cardiac services at St. Mary Mercy Hospital, is Friday at Laurel Manor Special Event Center in Livonia. The Gala opens at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a fashion show, dancing and entertainment from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. VIP tickets are $150. General admission tickets are $100. Information: (734) 655-2907 or www.stmarymercy.org.

Celebrate the Child fund-raiser to benefit Childhelp USA Michigan is 6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. The sixth annual event will feature a live auction, dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $225. Information: (248) 844-1547.

NAACP's annual Freedom Fund Dinner presented by the Southern Oakland County Branch, is Sunday at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel. The benefit begins with a VIP Reception at 5 p.m. with dinner following at 6 p.m. Tickets for the reception are $125 (dinner only, $95). Information: (248) 398-4060 or (248) 568-3922.

Lights, Camera, Auction, a fund-raiser for Variety, the Children's Charity, is 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at Emagine Theatre at Fountainwalk Mall in Novi. The event includes a strolling supper, silent auction and preview of a not-yet-released movie. Patron tickets are $100 (general admission tickets, $50). This year's beneficiary is Variety's Bikes for Kids. Information: (248) 258-5511.

Capuchin Soup Kitchen SOCK 2005 benefit is 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Festivities include a cocktail reception, dinner and silent auction. Tickets are $250. Information: (313) 579-2100, ext. 202.

Casablanca at The Whitney: A Murder Mystery Dinner, featuring local actors as "Casablanca" characters, is 6 p.m. Oct. 21 in Detroit. Festivities include an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, piano entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $150. Proceeds will benefit the Autoimmune Diseases Association. Information: (586) 776-3900.

2005 Celebration of Stars annual Gala is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. The affair, hosted by Spectrum Human Services Inc. & Affiliated Companies, will include music, dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $125. Information: (734) 458-8736, ext. 6701.

Action Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's 2005 annual Dinner, in celebration of its 15th anniversary, is 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. Cocktail attire is suggested; black tie is optional. Liberty Circle Sponsor tickets are $1,000 and include two VIP postreception tickets; Individual tickets, $100. Reservation deadline is Friday. Information: (800) 345-2286 or www.action.org/dinner.

Soiree on the River, presented by Verizon Wireless, is 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Roostertail in Detroit. Festivities include a strolling dinner, premium open bar, live and silent auctions, and live entertainment. Tickets are $100 and include valet parking. Proceeds will benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Information: (800) 482-1455 or www.nkfm.org.

Made in Motown: A Night to Care, the 15th annual St. John Detroit Riverview Hospital event, is 6 p.m. to midnight Oct. 29 in the Renaissance Ballroom at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Tickets are $250. Information: (313) 499-4263.

The What's Coming Up calendar appears Tuesdays in the Features section. To publicize your event, send information to Alesia Cooper, The Detroit News, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226. You can also call her at (313) 222-2046, fax (313) 222-2451 or e-mail acooper@detnews.com.

Chuck Bennett is a Metro Detroit freelance writer and editor of www.the-real-scoop.com, an online magazine. You can reach him at chuckbennett@hotmail.com.

Elisha Warden, left, Tracey Craig and Sharonne Pettus. The three 14-year-olds are from Detroit.